First impressions count on Twitter

The direct message, or DM, is the Twitter equivalent of the first meeting -- the handshake, if you will.

But what you might not realize is that a first impression, whether face-to-face or via computer or phone, is still a first impression. So you've gotta make it count.

There's a disturbing trend building on Twitter. Quantity of followers is receiving more weight than quality of tweets. So more tweeters are using automated services that send the same tweet to everyone. And some of what's being said is cheesy, laughable, and, in some cases, embarrassing.

My advice to you: Never send an automated DM. It's the equivalent of a dear sir/dear madam letter, and you know how much you hate those.

I try to send as many personal DMs as time allows. The point of Twitter is not to build your follower count, it's to interact and cement relationships -- whether business or personal.

My top hint for sending the perfect DM is simple. Read what the intended recipient is tweeting about and strike up a conversation. When a new follower recently tweeted about her love of cheese and asked the Twitterverse whether to have grilled cheese or ravioli for lunch, I seized the opportunity and wrote a great DM:

"Thanks for following RedEye. BTW, eat the grilled cheese ... Ratio of cheese always greater between 2 slices of bread than in pasta pocket."

Turns out, she chose the ravioli because it was in a can, but that's not the point. Here's the point: Whatever you do, don't send DMs like these, but feel free to use my responses.

I received: Thank you for following me & my biz. I look forward to a Twitterful relationship with you!

I replied: Twitterful? Tweriously? That's Twerrible.

I received: As promised, my new FREE eBook "Dominating Twitter" is NOW ready -- Get 17,256 followers in super quick time!

I replied: Impressive DM from someone with so many followers. YOU HAVE 16 FOLLOWERS!

And my absolute favorite DM of all time:

I received: Thanks for following Do or do not... There is no try Let's make success happen.

I still haven't replied. I can't find the words.

Got any great examples of automated DMs? Tweet me, poke me -- just tell me. But please make it personal.

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TWITTER BUZZ

Tweetwhatyoueat.com

No, it's not you announcing to the world that you just ate ravioli, it's a food diary that you keep via Twitter. Track what you eat and how much you weigh via your phone or the Web. And you can enter calories if you know them or you can have them automatically filled in. Getting healthy was never so cool.